Modular rocking bed with programmable control

ABSTRACT

A modular rocking device which can be used in conjunction with an existing bed or cot, without structural alteration of the same, to enable the later to be rocked. The modular rocking device comprises two motion imparting legs, two passive legs, two pairs of connecting rods and a motion and communication control unit. The oscillatory motion is generated within the supporting legs in a horizontal plane using an actuator mechanism which comprise a worm gear reducer, or a timing pulley gear reducer. Motion sensors, temperature, heart rate, blood pressure sensors, brain activity sensors, and weight sensors detect the user presence and sleep status, and activate the rocking motion using an automated method. The motion parameters are user configurable through a control panel, or remotely from a terminal connected to a data communication network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This invention relates to rocking mechanisms for beds, cribs, and thelike, and more particularly to an apparatus and a method of controllingthe same, which imparts an oscillatory movement in a horizontal plane.

The invention also relates to a device for automatically moving at leastone piece of furniture, wherein the device is connected in a detachablemanner to the piece of furniture.

The present invention uses modular supporting legs which can be readilyattached to a standard bed frame without altering the last. Furthermore,specifically to the object of the invention, the bed oscillatory motionis generated within the supporting legs.

The oscillatory motion may be activated, deactivated and parameterizedbased on the user sleep status in an automated manner using motion,temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, brain activity and weightsensors. The oscillatory motion characteristics are also userconfigurable through a control panel, or remotely from a terminalconnected to a data communication network.

Description of Prior Art

It is well known that a slow oscillatory motion applied to a bed foradults or babies induces sleep, and a calming effect as well. A rockingor swinging bed may also help those with sleep disorders to achieve afull night sleep without the need of using medication.

The rocking beds main technical problem is the size and complexity ofthe device which produces the oscillatory motion. Many of the knowndevices require a special construction which imply large productioncosts and storage space.

Nevertheless, most of the rocking beds replicate the gentle swaying of aboat at sea, either through the means of a slow oscillatory mechanism orinducing a vibration.

The U.S. Pat. No. 3,934,283 uses two vibrator motors which are attachedto opposite rail portions of the bed frame. This has the disadvantage ofinducing the vibration to the whole bed structure including the legs andimplicitly also the floor. This is prone to quick mechanical wear, whichis not the case of the present invention that has the advantage ofinducing the oscillatory motion through an actuator mechanism whichdecouples the fixed supporting structure which lies on the floor fromthe moving apparatus which connects to the bed frame.

The U.S. Pat. No. 8,856,982 and TWM360624 have the advantage of a largedegree of movement but imply a very large and complex mechanicalstructure. Similarly, the patent US2007094792 uses two supportstructures which have the disadvantage of being large and heavy. Theproposed invention has the advantage of a small hardware footprint whichcan be easily stored and shipped at low costs, by the means of a mediumsize parcel.

Some of the rocking devices for babies have the disadvantage of beingapplicable only to some particular types of cots, and assume that thecots have specific legs shape. This is the case of patents EP1900311,U.S. Pat. No. 4,793,010 and WO2005084497 which assume that the cot legswould fit inside the rocking apparatus. The proposed invention has theadvantage of being applicable also to any baby cot legs shape and size,by proposing a generic leg holder mechanism. Furthermore, unlike theproposed invention, the technical solutions adopted by these threeexisting patents are not suitable for the weight and size of an adultrocking bed.

The object of the present invention is achieved by the rocking apparatuswith the features of Claim 1, 3, 8, and the motion control method withthe features of Claim 9.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide amodular rocking apparatus, comprising of a support structure, whichinclude four supporting legs, at least one of supporting legs includingor being associated with a motion imparting mechanism.

The leg with a motion imparting mechanism contains a support structure,an electric motor, a gear reducer coupled to the motor, a leadscrew rodwhich is coupled to the gear reducer, a moving block which contains ascrew nut in which the leadscrew rod is accommodated, two guiding rodson which the moving block slides mounted on linear bearings, a framesupporting structure which is mounted on the moving block, a decorativehousing, and a linkage assembly which is mounted on top of thedecorative housing. The linkage assembly may be adjusted against thedecorative housing in order to accommodate any bed frame shape and bedlinkage mechanism. The motion is imparted by the assembly of theelectric motor, gear reducer and leadscrew rod which form an actuatormechanism, and which transforms the electric motor rotation motion intoa linear motion.

The modular rocking apparatus may also use passive legs. The term“passive leg” as used throughout the specification imply any form ofsupporting structure which doesn't include a motion imparting mechanism,and which facilitates the continuation of the motion imparted by themotion imparting leg. The passive leg contains a support structure, amotion blocking mechanism which disables the leg free motion before theinstallation, a moving block which is coupled to the motion blockingmechanism, two guiding rods on which the moving block slides mounted onlinear bearings, a frame supporting structure which is mounted on themoving block, a decorative housing, and a linkage assembly which ismounted on top of the decorative housing. The linkage assembly may beadjusted against the frame decorative housing in order to accommodateany bed frame shape, and bed linkage mechanism.

In a preferred form of the modular rocking apparatus, two legs includeor are associated with motion imparting means, and two legs are passive.Each motion imparting leg may be connected to a passive leg through oneor more connecting rods. The rods are made of smaller segments withscrews and nuts endings, which could accommodate several joints to forma variable length rod. This approach has the advantage that the variablelength rods could fit any bed width. One of the rods is connected to thelower leg supporting structure which resides on the floor and the otherrod is connected to the higher part of the leg which moves in anoscillatory manner. This mechanism that uses rods to transmit therocking motion force from the motion imparting leg to a passive legkeeps the legs aligned and reduce the force which is applied to the bedframe. The rods are optional provided that the bed frame could handlethe force generated by the motion imparting legs towards the passivelegs, and the passive leg bases are not misaligned accidentally by theuser during operation.

Advantageously, due to the modular nature of the proposed apparatus, thelast is applicable to any adult or child bed size and shape. In the caseof large and heavy beds which require larger rocking forces, all thelegs could be motion imparting legs. In this case it is not necessary touse the connecting rods between the legs, as all the legs impart asynchronous motion, which is synchronized electronically by the electricmotor drivers and the motion control unit.

The motion imparted to the bed is an oscillating or reciprocatingmotion.

In order to achieve the objective mentioned above, the present inventionprovides an apparatus which comprise an electric motor driver for eachelectric motor, a microcontroller unit which synchronizes further allthe electric motor drivers, and a pair of switches inside each leg whichdetect the end of the oscillatory motion path. These switches aretriggered at the end of the motion path, and they command the rotationsense for all the motion imparting motors in a synchronous manner.

As will be more particularly described below, the present inventionprovides a method for controlling the rocking bed apparatus activation,deactivation and motion parameters. The method comprises: firstly, themethod determines whether the user lies down on the bed by the means ofa weight sensor and at least one motion detector sensor, and secondly itsets the user desired rocking motion characteristics by the means of theapparatus control panel settings, or remotely from the settings at aterminal through a wireless or wired data network, or based onparameters derived from sensors which monitor the user temperature,heart rate, blood pressure and brain activity. The displacement of therocking motion may be changed based on configuration commands whichcontain and are not limited to motion speed, rocking duration after theuser falls asleep, and the total desired sleep duration after which therocking motion is disabled.

Another advantage and feature of the invention is the possibility tomonitor remotely the user through the means of information provided bymotion, temperature, heart rate, blood pressure and brain activitysensors. This could be applicable for monitoring infants, patients inhospitals, or elderly people in care homes.

Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent after a careful reading of the detailed description withappropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The features of the invention believed to be novel are set forth withparticularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, maybe best understood by reference to the following detailed description ofthe invention, which describes an exemplary embodiment of the invention,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the rocking apparatus in accordance withthe preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bed mounted on the rocking apparatusin accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a transparent bed mounted on the rockingapparatus in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the rocking apparatus in accordance withthe second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the motionimparting leg.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the motionimparting leg, without the linkage assembly and the decorative housing.

FIG. 7 is a perspective internal view of the preferred embodiment of themotion imparting leg.

FIG. 8 is a further internal view of the preferred embodiment of themotion imparting leg.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the motionimparting leg.

FIG. 10 is a perspective section view of the preferred embodiment of themotion imparting leg.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a supporting structure for holding anexisting bed leg to be used in conjunction to the present inventionmotion imparting or passive leg.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the linkageassembly for the motion imparting leg.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the passiveleg.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the passiveleg, without the linkage assembly and the decorative housing.

FIG. 15 is a perspective internal view of the preferred embodiment ofthe passive leg.

FIG. 16 is a further internal view of the preferred embodiment of thepassive leg.

FIG. 17 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the passive leg.

FIG. 18 is a perspective section view of the preferred embodiment of thepassive leg.

FIG. 19 is a perspective internal view of the passive leg which includesthe weight sensor.

FIG. 20 is a transparent internal view of the passive leg which includesthe weight sensor.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the motionimparting leg.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the motionimparting leg, without the linkage assembly and the decorative housing.

FIG. 23 is a perspective internal view of the second embodiment of themotion imparting leg.

FIG. 24 is a further internal view of the second embodiment of themotion imparting leg.

FIG. 25 is a side view of the second embodiment of the motion impartingleg.

FIG. 26 is a perspective section view of the second embodiment of themotion imparting leg.

FIG. 27 is an electrical block schematic of the preferred embodiment forthe modular rocking bed system.

FIG. 28 is an electrical block schematic of the second embodiment forthe modular rocking bed system.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart of the rocking bed motion state machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In cooperation with attached drawings, the technical contents anddetailed description of the present invention are described thereinafteraccording to a preferable embodiment, being not used to limit itsexecutive scope. Any equivalent variation and modification madeaccording to appended claims is all covered by the claims claimed by thepresent invention.

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1-3, a rockingapparatus 10 for a bed 9 in accordance with the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention comprises two motion imparting legs 1, two passivelegs 2, two pairs of rods which comprise multiple connected segments 4and 5, a motion and communication control unit 6, two motion sensors 7,and the electric wires 8 which connect the motion imparting legs 1 andpassive legs 2 to the motion and communication control unit 6. The lastcommunicates with a data network 11 and other connected devices whichare further described in relation to FIG. 27.

As illustrated in the FIG. 1 the motion imparting leg 1 includes a flatbase 1.21, a decorative housing 1.24, and a linkage assembly 1.20 thatis used for securing the bed frame to the motion imparting leg 1. Thepassive leg 2 includes a flat base 2.1, a decorative housing 2.13, and alinkage assembly 2.10 that is used for securing the bed frame to thepassive leg 2. Each motion imparting leg 1 is connected to a passive leg2 through two rods that include alternated segments which are ended onboth ends with nuts 4, and segments ended on both ends with screws 5,that are screwed into each other in order to form any desired length, inaccordance with any bed width. The segments 4 and 5 are secured andtightened together by the nuts 4.1. One of the rod assemblies keeps thelower part of the motion imparting legs base 1.21 equally spaced andaligned to the passive leg lower part 2.1. The other rod assembly keepsthe motion imparting legs decorative housing 1.24 along with the uppermoving mechanism, equally spaced and aligned to the passive leg uppermoving mechanism and decorative housing 2.13. The rods coupling to thelegs will become apparent from the following descriptions of FIGS. 5-10,13-18, and 21-26.

Referring to the drawing in the FIG. 4, it discloses the secondembodiment of the present invention which is the rocking apparatus 10that comprises four motion imparting legs 1, a motion and communicationcontrol unit 6, two motion sensors 7, and the electric wires 8 whichconnect the motion imparting legs 1 to the motion and communicationcontrol unit 6. The last communicates with a data network 11 and otherconnected devices which are further described in relation to FIG. 28.Given that in this embodiment all the legs 1 contain a motion impartingmechanism, there is no need for connecting rods in between the legs 1,as all the last impart synchronously a rocking motion to the bed. Therocking apparatus 10 may use either the motion imparting legs 1 or 3.

Referring to the drawings in FIG. 5-10, the motion imparting leg 1comprises a flat base 1.21 which is welded to a rectangular pipe 1.12,that accommodates internally the motion imparting actuator and asupportive structure. The motion imparting mechanism comprise anelectric motor 1.1 which is mounted on a U shape support structure 1.11,a worm gear reducer which includes a worm 1.2 mounted on the motor 1.1shaft and a toothed wheel 1.4 mounted on the shaft of the leadscrew rod1.5. The worm 1.2 is secured on the motor shaft by the screw 1.3, andthe toothed wheel 1.4 is secured to the shaft of the leadscrew rod 1.5,by the screw 1.6. The leadscrew rod 1.5 is supported at both ends by thebearings 1.7 and 1.15. These bearings are accommodated and secured bythe U shape support structure 1.11. The leadscrew rod 1.5 is supportedas well by the bearing 1.7 which is mounted on the side of the worm gearhousing 1.14. The motion is imparted in a horizontal plane along theaxis of the two supporting rods 1.10, by the transformation of therotary motion of the leadscrew rod 1.5 into a linear motion induced tothe moving block 1.8. The moving block 1.8 includes a nut threadingwhich accommodates the leadscrew rod 1.5, two cylindrical housings forthe linear bearings 1.9, and six threaded holes which accommodate thescrews 1.32, 1.33 and 1.38. The linear bearings 1.9 slide along with themoving block 1.8 on the two supporting rods 1.10, in accordance with themotion induced by the rotation of the leadscrew rod 1.5. The supportingrods 1.10 are fastened on both sides against the U shape supportstructure 1.11 and the leg rectangular pipe 1.12 by the screws 1.13. Theend of the oscillatory motion path is detected electronically by themeans of two switches “single-pole, single-throw” (on or oft) 1.22 whichare mounted on the U shape support structure 1.11. On the lower side ofthe moving block 1.8 there are two perpendicular flat boards 1.23arranged on opposite sides, that trigger the switches 1.22 when themoving block 1.8 reaches either end of the motion path. The switches1.22 may be used only for the first round that the rocking apparatusimparts an oscillating motion. The subsequent oscillating motions don'tneed to use the switches 1.22 to detect the end of the movement path, asthe control logic of the motion control unit 6 (FIG. 1) stores in itsmemory the location of the switches 1.22. More information regarding theswitches logic will be included further down in the motion control andcommunication unit 6 description.

The motor 1.1 electric cables and the switches 1.22 electric cables areprotected by a housing 1.29 which is mounted on the flat base 1.21. Thehousing 1.29 shields the electric cables for being tangled by thedecorative housing 1.24 when the last moves against the flat base 1.21.

The frame supporting structure 1.18 is mounted on the moving block 1.8using the screws 1.38 (as seen in FIG. 7). The flat sheet 1.19 is weldedto the frame supporting structure 1.18 in order to increase the lastmechanical resistance. The decorative housing 1.24 wraps and hides thesupporting structure 1.18 and the internal leg mechanism. As shown inFIG. 9, there is no physical contact between the decorative housing 1.24and the leg lower side which includes the flat base 1.21, the electriccables housing 1.29 and the rectangular pipe 1.12.

The oscillatory motion is imparted in a horizontal plane to the movingblock 1.8, to the connected supporting structure 1.18, to the decorativehousing 1.24, to the linkage assembly 1.20 and to the bolt 1.25. Thebolt 1.25 is rigidly mounted on the supporting structure 1.18 and passesunobstructed through the decorative housing 1.24. The other bolt 1.30 ismounted onto the U shape support structure 1.11 and passes through theframe supporting structure 1.18 and the decorative housing 1.24. Thereis no physical contact between the bolt 1.30 and the frame supportingstructure 1.18 and neither the decorative housing 1.24.

The bolt 1.25 is connected to the leg 1 moving apparatus, and the bolt1.30 is connected to the leg 1 static lower part. The legs connectingrods that comprise rod segments 4 (see FIG. 1) may be screwed into thebolt 1.25 and tightened with the nut 4.1. The other connecting rod isscrewed into the bolt 1.30. As mentioned above, the connection betweenthe motion imparting leg 1 and the passive leg 2 is done through theconnecting rod segments 4 and 5 which keep the legs mobile and staticparts synchronized.

The linkage assembly 1.20 is tightened against the decorative housing1.24 and the moving block 1.8 using the screws 1.32 and 1.33. Thelinkage assembly 1.20 comprise two parallel groove cuts which allow toadjust the linkage assembly 1.20 relative position against thedecorative housing 1.24. By loosening the screws 1.32 and 1.33 thelinkage assembly 1.20 may be moved inwards or outwards the leg's edge inorder to match any bed frame width.

Referring to the drawing in FIG. 11, it discloses a generic supportingstructure for holding an existing bed 9 leg, which could be applicableto a motion imparting leg or a passive leg. Some beds for adults andchildren have preassembled legs which could be mounted (as shown in FIG.11) on a supporting structure 1.35 and 1.36. In this case the supportingstructure 1.35 replaces the existing supporting structure 1.18 (FIG. 6),and 1.36 replaces 1.19 (FIG. 6). The internal leg mechanism remains thesame and implies that the moving block 1.8 is connected to thesupporting structure 1.35 by the screws 1.32 and 1.33. There is nodecorative housing in this apparatus, and the supporting structure 1.35is welded to the supporting structure 1.36. The linkage mechanismaccommodates any existing bed leg shape and size, by the means of anadjustable U shaped holder 1.37 which immobilize the existing legagainst the supporting structure 1.36. The U shaped holder 1.37 mayslide in and out the leg structure 1.35 and is fastened against thesupport structure 1.35 by four screws 1.34.

Referring to the drawing in FIG. 12, it discloses another linkageassembly embodiment 1.39 which could replace the above mentioned linkageassembly 1.20. This linkage assembly is applicable to the motionimparting legs 1 and 3, as well to the passive leg 2 and may connect anyof them to bed frames which comprise a vertical flat surface. Thelinkage assembly 1.39 is tightened against the decorative housing 1.24and the moving block 1.8 using the screws 1.32 and 1.33, in the samemanner as the linkage assemblies 1.20.

Referring to the drawings in FIG. 13-18, the passive leg 2 comprises aflat base 2.1 which is connected to a rectangular pipe 2.2 thataccommodates internally a motion blocking mechanism and a supportiverocking structure. The connection between the flat base 2.1 and therectangular pipe 2.2 comprises the bars 2.3 which accommodate for eachbar 2.3 two buried screws 2.26 into the rectangular pipe 2.2, and oneburied screw 2.26 into the flat base 2.1.

The motion blocking mechanism comprise a U shape blocker 2.19, afriction pad 2.18 mounted on the U shape blocker 2.19, two compressionsprings 2.15 and 2.20 one on each side of the U shape blocker 2.19, anda spring blocker rod 2.21. The motion blocking mechanism has the role toblock the free movement of the moving block 2.6 and implicitly the wholepassive leg moving structure when the leg 2 is not installed. The Ushape bar 2.19 endings pass freely through the flat base 2.1 and extendbeyond the flat base 2.1 lower surface. The U shape bar 2.19 endingswill be pushed upwards when the leg is installed on a floor flatsurface. The springs 2.15 and 2.20 are compressed against the U supportstructure 2.30 and the spring blocker rod 2.21. When the passive leg isnot installed, the U shape blocker 2.19 is pushed downwards in thedirection of the flat base 2.1, which imply that the friction pad 2.18blocks the moving block 2.6. After the installation, the U shape blocker2.19 endings are pushed upwards to the same level as the flat base 2.1,which remove the contact between the friction pad 2.18 and the movingblock 2.6.

The moving block 2.6 includes a groove which accommodates the U shapebar 2.19 along with the friction pad 2.18, two cylindrical housings forthe linear bearings 2.5, and six threaded holes which accommodate thescrews 2.24, 2.28, and 2.29. The linear bearings 2.5 slide along withthe moving block 2.6 on the two supporting rods 2.4. The supporting rods2.4 are fastened on both sides against the U shape support structure2.30 and the leg rectangular pipe 2.2 by the screws 2.7. The screw 2.25secures further along with the screws 2.7 and the screw 2.23, the Ushape support structure 2.30 against the rectangular pipe 2.2. The nut2.32 screws into the bolt 2.22 and the nut 2.8 tightens the oppositeside of the U shape support structure 2.30 against the rectangular pipe2.2.

The end of the oscillatory motion path is detected electronically by themeans of two switches “single-pole, single-throw” (on or off) 2.11 whichare mounted on the U shape support structure 2.30. On the lower side ofthe moving block 2.6 there are two perpendicular flat boards 2.12arranged on opposite sides, that trigger the switches 2.11 when themoving block 2.6 reaches either end of the motion path. The switches2.11 may be used only for the first round when the passive leg 2 startsto move. The subsequent oscillating motions don't need to use theswitches 2.11 to detect the end of the movement path, as the controllogic of the motion control unit 6 (FIG. 1) stores in its memory thelocation of the switches 2.11. More information regarding the switcheslogic will be included further down in the motion control andcommunication unit 6 description. The switches 2.11 electric cables areprotected by a housing 2.17 which is mounted on the flat base 2.1. Thehousing 2.17 is secured against the flat base 2.1 by two screws 2.27.The housing 2.17 shields the electric cables for being tangled by thedecorative housing 2.13.

The frame supporting structure 2.31 (see FIG. 14) is mounted on themoving block 2.6 using the screws 2.24, 2.28, and 2.29. The flat sheet2.9 is welded to the frame supporting structure 2.31 in order toincrease the last mechanical resistance. The decorative housing 2.13wraps and hides the frame supporting structure 2.31 and the internal legmechanism. As shown in FIG. 17, there is no physical contact between thedecorative housing 2.13 and the leg lower side which includes the flatbase 2.1, the electric cables housing 2.17, and the rectangular pipe2.2.

The oscillatory motion is transmitted from the motion imparting leg 1 or3 to the passive leg 2 through the connecting rod segments 4 and 5 andfurther through the passive leg bolt 2.14. The motion is impartedfurther to the supporting structure 2.31, linkage assembly 2.10, thedecorative housing 2.13, and the moving block 2.6. The bolt 2.16 isrigidly mounted on the frame supporting structure 2.31 and passesthrough the decorative housing 2.13. The bolt 2.22 is mounted onto the Ushape support structure 2.22 using the nuts 2.23, 2.32 and passesunobstructed through the frame supporting structure 2.31 and thedecorative housing 2.13. There is no physical contact between the bolt2.21 and the frame supporting structure 2.31, and neither the decorativehousing 2.13.

The bolt 2.14 is connected to the leg 2 moving apparatus, and the bolt2.22 is connected to the leg 2 static supporting structure. One of thelegs connecting rods that comprise the rod segment 4 (see FIG. 1) may bescrewed into the bolt 2.14 and tightened with the nut 4.1. The otherconnecting rod is screwed into the bolt 2.22. As mentioned above, theconnection between the motion imparting leg 1 or 3 and the passive leg 2is done through the connecting rod segments 4 and 5 which keep the legsmobile and static parts equally spaced and synchronized.

The linkage assembly 2.10 is tightened against the decorative housing2.13 and the moving block 2.6 using the screws 2.28 and 2.29. Thelinkage assembly 2.10 comprise two parallel groove cuts which allow toadjust the linkage assembly 2.10 relative position against thedecorative housing 2.13. By loosening the screws 2.28 and 2.29 thelinkage assembly 2.10 may be moved inwards or outwards the leg's edge inorder to match any bed frame width.

Referring to the drawing in FIG. 19-20, they disclose a weight sensor,which comprises a flat polymer surface 2.40 which has the property ofchanging the electrical resistivity in function of the force which isapplied to the polymer surface. The electrical resistivity is monitoredby the motion control and communication unit 6, as indicated in FIG.27-28. The last monitors the resistivity differential value over time,and by this mean tracks whether the user lies or not in the bed. Theterm “weight sensor” as used throughout the specification implies anapparatus to detect the bed weight and comprise a polymer flat surface2.40 mounted between the flat base 2.1 and an additional flat plate2.34. The rectangular pipe 2.2 is mounted on top of the flat plate 2.34.The flat base 2.1, the flat polymer surface 2.40 and the flat plate 2.34are tightened together using four screws 2.35. The weight sensorapparatus as described above is applicable as well to the motionimparting legs 1 or 3, if the rocking apparatus doesn't comprise passivelegs, as it is the case of the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 4.

Referring to the drawings in FIGS. 21-26, there is illustrated analternative motion imparting leg 3, which is similar to the leg 1 ofFIG. 5-12, with the exception of the actuator mechanism which uses atiming pulley gear reducer. The motion imparting leg 3 comprises a flatbase 3.1 which is connected to a rectangular pipe 3.2, that accommodatesinternally the motion imparting actuator mechanism and a motionsupportive structure. The connection between the flat base 3.1 and therectangular pipe 3.2 comprises the bars 3.3 which accommodate for eachbar 3.3 two buried screws 3.31 into the rectangular pipe 3.2, and oneburied screw 3.31 into the flat base 3.1. The motion imparting mechanismcomprise an electric motor 3.6 which is mounted on a L shape supportstructure 3.5, a timing pulley gear reducer which includes a timingpulley 3.7 mounted on the motor 3.6 shaft, a timing belt 3.13, and asecond timing pulley 3.12 mounted on the shaft of the leadscrew rod3.11. The timing pulley 3.7 is secured on the motor shaft by the screw3.41, and a second timing pulley 3.12 is secured to the shaft of theleadscrew rod 3.11, by the screw 3.28. The motor 3.6 is mounted usingfour screws 3.30 on the L shape support structure 3.5 which is mountedon the flat base 3.1 using four screws 3.33, four nuts 3.35 and fourwashers 3.46. The L shape support structure 3.5 lies between two layersof rubber 3.4, one underneath rubber layer 3.4 that reduces the motor3.6 vibration towards the flat base 3.1, and an upper rubber layer 3.4which reduces the motor 3.6 vibration towards the four washers 3.46, thescrews 3.33, and the four nuts 3.35.

The leadscrew rod 3.11 is supported at both ends by the bearings 3.43.These bearings are accommodated and secured by the U shape supportstructure 3.42. The motion is imparted in a horizontal plane along theaxis of the two supporting rods 3.8, by the transformation of the rotarymotion of the leadscrew rod 3.11 into a linear motion induced to themoving block 3.10. The moving block 3.10 includes a nut threading whichaccommodates the leadscrew rod 3.11, two cylindrical housings for thelinear bearings 3.9, and seven threaded holes which accommodate thescrews 3.27, 3.36, 3.37 and 3.45. The linear bearings 3.9 slide alongwith the moving block 3.10 on the two supporting rods 3.8, in accordancewith the motion induced by the leadscrew rod 3.11. The supporting rods3.8 are fastened on both sides against the U shape support structure3.42 and the leg rectangular pipe 3.2 by the screws 3.14. The L shapesupport structure 3.40 supports as well the rods 3.8, and the first isconnected to the U shape support structure 3.42 through the screws 3.38.The leadscrew rod 3.11 passes unobstructed through the L shape supportstructure 3.40.

The end of the oscillatory motion path is detected electronically by themeans of two switches “single-pole, single-throw” (on or off) 3.18 whichare mounted on the U shape support structure 3.42. On the lower side ofthe moving block 3.10 there are two perpendicular flat boards 3.19arranged on opposite sides, that trigger the switches 3.18 when themoving block 3.10 reaches either end of the motion path. The switches3.18 may be used only for the first round that the rocking apparatusimparts an oscillating motion. The subsequent oscillating motions don'tneed to use the switches 3.18 to detect the end of the movement path, asthe control logic of the motion control unit 6 (FIG. 1) stores in itsmemory the location of the switches 3.18. More information regarding theswitches logic will be included further down in the motion control andcommunication unit 6 description.

The motor 3.6 electric cables and the switches 3.18 electric cables areprotected by a housing 3.24 (FIG. 21) which is mounted on the flat base3.1. The housing 3.24 is secured against the flat base 3.1 using twoscrews 3.32, and shields the electric cables against being tangled bythe decorative housing 3.20.

The frame supporting structure 3.39 is mounted on the moving block 3.10using the screws 3.27, 3.36, 3.37 and 3.45. The flat sheet 3.16 iswelded to the frame supporting structure 3.39 in order to increase thelast mechanical resistance. The decorative housing 3.20 wraps and hidesthe frame supporting structure 3.39 and the internal leg mechanism. Asshown in FIG. 25, there is no physical contact between the decorativehousing 3.20 and the leg lower side which includes the flat base 3.1,the electric cables housing 3.24, and the rectangular pipe 3.2.

The oscillatory motion is imparted in a horizontal plane to the movingblock 3.10, to the connected supporting structure 3.39, to thedecorative housing 3.20, to the linkage assembly 3.17 and to the bolt3.21. The bolt 3.21 is rigidly mounted on the frame supporting structure3.39 and passes through the decorative housing 3.20. The bolt 3.25 ismounted onto the U shape support structure 3.42 using the nut 3.26 andpasses unobstructed through the frame supporting structure 3.39 and thedecorative housing 3.20. There is no physical contact between the bolt3.25 and the frame supporting structure 3.39, and neither the decorativehousing 3.20.

The bolt 3.21 is connected to the leg 3 moving apparatus and the bolt3.25 is connected to the leg 3 static structure. One of the legsconnecting rods that comprise the rod segment 4 (see FIG. 1) may bescrewed into the bolt 3.21 and tightened with the nut 4.1. The otherconnecting rod is screwed into the bolt 3.25. As mentioned above, theconnection between the motion imparting leg 3 and the passive leg 2 isdone through connecting rod segments 4 and 5, which keep the legs mobileand static parts synchronized.

The linkage assembly 3.17 (FIG. 21) is tightened against the decorativehousing 3.20 and the moving block 3.10 using the screws 3.36 and 3.37.The linkage assembly 3.17 comprise two parallel groove cuts which allowto adjust the linkage assembly 3.17 relative position against thedecorative housing 3.20. By loosening the screws 3.36 and 3.37 thelinkage assembly 3.17 may be moved inwards or outwards the leg's edge inorder to match any bed frame width.

The motion imparting leg 3 may replace the motion imparting leg 1 in anyof the present invention embodiments.

Referring to the drawing in FIG. 27, it shows the electrical blockschematic of the preferred embodiment of the modular rocking bed system.The last corresponds to the apparatus disclosed in the FIGS. 1-3 andcomprises two motion imparting legs 1, two passive legs 2, the motioncontrol and communication unit 6, a data communication network 11,motion sensors 7, 16, a weight sensor 2.40, a passive infrared sensor(PIR) 16, a headband brain activity sensor 15, a wrist temperature,heart rate and blood pressure sensor 12, and a user terminal 13. Theelectrical parts of the motion imparting leg 1 are the motor 1.1 and twoswitches 1.22. The electrical parts of the passive leg 2 are the twoswitches 2.11. The motion control and communication unit 6 comprise twomotor drivers 6.7, a network data communication module 6.2, amicrocontroller 6.1, three potentiometers 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, and a switch6.6. The motion control and communication unit 6 is connected to twomotion imparting legs 1, two passive legs 2, two motion sensors 7, andthe weight sensor 2.40. The weight sensor 2.40 may be part of a motionimparting leg 1, 3, or a passive leg 2. In this schematic it is part ofthe passive leg 2.

The electric motors 1.1 are controlled by the motor drivers 6.7, thatare part of the motion control and communication unit 6. Themicrocontroller 6.1 maintains the synchronization between the motors 1.1through a motion control software. The last ensures that both motors 1.1instantaneous speed and implicitly the relative distance between all thelegs moving parts is maintained constant at any time. The oscillatoryrocking motion is achieved by changing the motors 1.1 rotation sense atthe end of the motion path. The last is bordered by the switches 1.22and 2.11. The switches 1.22 detect the end of the motion paths for thelegs 1 and the switches 2.11 detect the end of the motion path for thelegs 2. The microcontroller 6.1 detects whether any of them is triggeredon a given motion path, that imply the end of the motion path isreached. In that case the motors 1.1 are stopped and the last rotationis reversed. Subsequently the rocking apparatus starts to move in theopposite direction until the switches 1.22 and 2.11 are triggered againat the other end of the motion path. The switches may be used only forthe first round that the rocking apparatus imparts an oscillatingmotion. The subsequent oscillating motions don't need to use theswitches to detect the end of the oscillation path, as the control logicof the motion control unit 6 stores in its memory the switches location.

The motion control and communication unit 6 provides the basic usercontrols for the rocking motion system. The controls comprise thepotentiometer 6.3 that controls the rocking speed, the potentiometer 6.4that controls the amount of time after which the rocking motion ceasesfollowing a state of no motion from the motion sensors, thepotentiometer 6.5 that controls the total expected sleep duration afterwhich the rocking motion is disabled, and a switch 6.6 which forces therocking motion activation or deactivation. Further details related tothe user controls usage are explained in relation to FIG. 29.

The user controls 6.3, 6.4, 6.6 may be overridden by an applicationwhich runs on the terminal 13, along with other user customizedcontrols. The application that runs on the terminal 13 may include asleep tracking functionality, and a database that contains the historyof the sleep and the motion related data over a period of time.

The motion sensors 7, 16, along with the temperature, heart rate, bloodpressure sensor 12, and the brain activity sensor 15 are used to trackthe user status, in relation to sleep and alertness. The weight sensor2.40 uses a method which measures the differential of the total bedweight over time, and based on that detects whether the user lies or noton the bed. This information along with the user settings is used forstarting and stopping the rocking motion in an automated way. Thepresent invention doesn't limit the type of sensors which may be usedfor tracking the user status. Further details regarding the relationbetween the information provided by the motion, temperature, heart rate,blood pressure and weight sensors, and the induced rocking motion areexplained in relation to FIG. 29.

Referring to the drawing in FIG. 28, it shows the electrical blockschematic of the second embodiment of the modular rocking bed system.The last corresponds to the apparatus disclosed in the FIG. 4 andcomprise four motion imparting legs 1, the motion control andcommunication unit 6, a data communication network 11, motion sensors 7,a weight sensor 2.40, a passive infrared sensor (PIR) 16, a headbandbrain activity sensor 15, a wrist temperature, heart rate and bloodpressure sensor 12, and a user terminal 13. The motion control andcommunication unit 6 comprise four motor drivers 6.7, one correspondingto each of the motion imparting leg motors 1.1. Similarly, to thefunctionality disclosed in relation to FIG. 27, the microcontroller 6.1maintains the synchronization between the motors 1.1 through a motioncontrol software. The last ensures that all the four motors 1.1instantaneous speed and implicitly the relative distance between thelegs moving parts is maintained constant at any time. The remainingblocks and system functionality in FIG. 28 is identical to the onedescribed in relation to FIG. 27.

Referring to the drawing in FIG. 29, it discloses a flowchart of therocking bed motion state machine. Firstly, the method detects whetherthe bed total weight has increased or the user 14 switches on manuallythe bed rocking movement using the switch 6.6 (100). The term “bed totalweight” as used throughout the specification imply the sum of the bedand the user weights. The bed total weight is monitored by the weightsensor 2.40, and the assumption is that when the user 14 lies on the bed9, the last total weight increases. This triggers the notification thatthe user lies on the bed and afterward, the bed starts to move on apredefined direction, which imply that all the motion imparting legswill start to push the bed in the same direction (102). Afterward, themethod detects whether the bed total weight has decreased, or the userswitched off manually the bed rocking using the switch 6.6, or there isno user motion detected using the motion sensors 7, 16 for a predefinedtime set by the potentiometer 6.4, or the total desired sleep time setby the potentiometer 6.5 elapsed (104). If not so, the method detectsfurther whether any of the switches 1.22 or 2.11 or 3.18 have beentriggered (106). The switches are triggered at the end of the currentmoving direction path which imply that the moving direction has to bechanged (110). The switches index 1.22, 2.11 and 3.18 correspond to allthe possible legs 1 or 2 or 3 that could be part of the rockingapparatus. It is understood that depending on a particularinstantiation, some of the switches 1.22, 2.11 or 3.18 might not be partof the system.

The method executes the bed 9 rocking motion by looping back to state(102) until any of the conditions in state (104) are true. In that casethe bed stops the movement (108) and gets back into the mode (100). Theflowchart discloses a simplified rocking bed state machine that doesn'tcover complex scenarios which imply and are not limited to user definedcontrols, motion or oscillation patterns which use the informationprovided by motion sensors 7, 16, temperature, heart rate and bloodpressure sensors 12, brain activity sensors 15, or settings from anapplication running on a control terminal 13.

Another important method for controlling the bed 9 rocking motioncharacteristics, consists in using the periodicity and level informationof the wave signals that are captured by one or more brain activitysensors 15, for setting and synchronizing the bed 9 oscillatory motionperiodicity and speed.

1-15. (canceled)
 16. A motion imparting supporting leg which imparts areciprocating rocking motion, in a horizontal plane to a rocking bedwhen mounted on the leg, comprising: a flat base; a support structure onthe flat base; an electric motor; a gear reducer connected to theelectric motor, the gear reducer including either a worm gear reducer ora timing pulley gear reducer; a leadscrew rod connected to the gearreducer; a moving block connected to the leadscrew rod; and a linkageassembly connected to the moving block for securing a bed frame to themotion imparting supporting leg.
 17. The motion imparting leg accordingto claim 16, wherein the leg further comprises the leadscrew rod beingcoupled to the worm gear toothed wheel or to the timing pulley, twoguiding rods on which the moving block slides mounted on linearbearings, a U shape support structure on which two on/off switches aremounted on opposite sides, a frame supporting structure which is mountedon the moving block, and a decorative housing which covers the framesupporting structure, the linkage assembly being mounted on top of thedecorative housing.
 18. The motion imparting leg according to claim 16,wherein motion is imparted by the assembly of the electric motor, thegear reducer and the leadscrew rod, forming an actuator mechanism thattransforms the electric motor rotation motion into a linear motion. 19.A passive leg for a rocking bed, comprising: a moving block; a supportstructure; a flat base; and a linkage assembly for securing a bed frameto the passive leg, characterized in that the passive leg furthercomprises a motion blocking mechanism that prevents the moving blockfrom moving freely before installation of the passive leg.
 20. Thepassive leg for a rocking bed according to claim 19, wherein the legfurther comprises two guiding rods on which the moving block slidesmounted on linear bearings, a U shape support structure on which twoon/off switches are mounted on opposite sides, a frame supportingstructure which is mounted on the moving block, and a decorative housingwhich covers the frame supporting structure, the linkage assembly beingmounted on top of the decorative housing, and a sensor that detects thebed weight.
 21. An apparatus comprising: one of a motion imparting legand a passive leg for a rocking bed, wherein the motion imparting legimparts a reciprocating rocking motion, in a horizontal plane to arocking bed when mounted on the leg, comprising a flat base, a supportstructure on the flat base, an electric motor, a worm gear reducer, or atiming pulley gear reducer connected to the electric motor, a leadscrewrod connected to the gear reducer, a moving block connected to theleadscrew rod, and a linkage assembly connected to the moving block forsecuring a bed frame to the motion imparting supporting leg, wherein thepassive leg includes a moving block, a support structure, a flat base,and a linkage assembly for securing a bed frame to the passive leg,characterized in that the passive leg further comprises a motionblocking mechanism that prevents the moving block from moving freelybefore installation of the passive leg, and wherein the motion impartingleg or the passive leg comprises a leg holder supporting structure,which replaces the leg's supporting structure, and the apparatus furthercontains an adjustable U-shaped holder which slides in and out of thesupporting structure, in order to fasten and immobilize an existing bedleg against the supporting structure.
 22. An apparatus for rocking anadult or baby bed, comprising: (a) two motion imparting legs and twopassive legs, and further comprises two pairs of connecting rod segmentswhich connect each motion imparting leg to a passive leg; or (b) fourmotion imparting legs; in which each motion imparting leg is suitablefor imparting a reciprocating rocking motion, in a horizontal plane to arocking bed when mounted on the leg, and comprises a flat base, asupport structure on the flat base, an electric motor, a worm gearreducer, or a timing pulley gear reducer connected to the electricmotor, a leadscrew rod connected to the gear reducer, a moving blockconnected to the leadscrew rod, and a linkage assembly connected to themoving block for securing a bed frame to the motion imparting supportingleg, and where provided, each passive leg is for a rocking bed, andcomprises a moving block, a support structure, a flat base, and alinkage assembly for securing a bed frame to the passive leg, thepassive leg further comprising a motion blocking mechanism that preventsthe moving block from moving freely before installation of the passiveleg, and the apparatus including a motion control and communicationunit, one or more motion sensors, one or more temperature, heart rateand blood pressure sensors, and one or more brain activity sensors. 23.A motion control and communication unit for controlling a rocking bed,the unit being adapted for communicating with a data network and otherconnected devices, and the unit comprising: a microcontroller; motordrivers for each controlling respective electric motors; a communicationmodule; one or more user control potentiometers; and one or more userswitches, the microcontroller being configured to (a) maintainsynchronization between the motors through motion control software, and(b) detect triggering of the end of path switches, which reverses therotation sense of the motors at the end of the motion path.
 24. A methodfor controlling motion of a rocking bed, in which motion imparted to thebed is a reciprocating motion, and wherein a motion control and acommunication unit, the method include steps of: maintaining thesynchronization between a motor; monitoring an end of path switches;tracking activity of sensors; reading a user control potentiometer andswitch values; and sending and receiving data towards a wired orwireless communication network, through a data communication module. 25.The method of claim 24, which controls a rocking bed reciprocatingmotion, by changing the motors rotation sense at the end of the motionpath, that is triggered by the end of path switches.
 26. The method ofclaim 25 for activating, deactivating and adjusting a bed rockingmotion, wherein the motion control and communication unit uses theinformation from one or more sensors.
 27. The method in accordance withclaim 26, wherein the sensors provide information about one or more ofthe following parameters: user motion, temperature, heart rate, bloodpressure and brain activity, and this information is used forcontrolling the bed rocking motion characteristics.
 28. The method inaccordance with claim 27, wherein the bed reciprocating motionperiodicity and speed is derived from the periodicity and level of wavesignals that are captured by one or more brain activity sensors.
 29. Themethod in accordance with claim 28, wherein the bed rocking motionparameters include: reciprocating motion speed, reciprocating motionpattern, and reciprocating motion duration and are set using the devicemotion control and communication unit, or by means of a remote terminal.30. The method in accordance with claim 29, wherein the period ofrocking motion or inactivity is triggered at a programmable timeinterval.